ICYMI: DLCC President Heather Williams Joins Heartland Signal Radio to Discuss Stakes for State Legislative Elections in 2026

The Callais decision has raised the stakes for flipping new majorities in state legislatures, and the DLCC has the Target Map and strategy to meet this moment

WASHINGTON — DLCC President Heather Williams joined Heartland Signal’s Joan Esposito to discuss the stakes of the midterms and the DLCC’s strategy for winning power in 2026. In the wake of the devastating Callais decision that upends Black representation and democracy, state legislative races have never been more important. The DLCC has a historic Target Map strategy, a $50 million budget, and record-breaking candidate recruitment to meet this moment and build Democratic power in the states.

Listen to the full interview here.

Check out some highlights from DLCC President Heather Williams below:

• “We at the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee have been winning elections in this cycle already. We’ve flipped 30 seats. We know that our candidates are connecting with voters on the things that they care most about, and we’re building momentum that’s going to carry us right through this election. We have a lot of hard work to do, but I definitely rather be us than them right now.”

• “We’ve got 500 seats that we have on our radar that we know with investment and resources and support they can be successful, and we are building this $50 million operation to be able to deploy the resources and tools to support these races and these moments of building power in the states.”

• “We are certainly in a moment that requires us to use the power that we have built in our states, to use our Democratic trifectas that we have today, and the ones that we will work really hard to gain in November, to be a counterweight to this Republican effort… We cannot let Republicans change the rules to entrench themselves in federal power in Congress forever.”

• “Having a voice in who represents you, and having that voice make sense amongst your community is critically important. I think the worst thing that we can do is decide that it’s hopeless, that there’s not a fight we’re fighting, that Republicans won, they got what they wanted, and now we’re going to walk away from the South. We have an opportunity in 2026 to build some power steps in the South to break free of some of these Republican supermajorities. So, the fight is on. We are ready for this, and I think it’s so important that we don’t give up.”

• “We’ve had incredible folks raise their hand to run for office… We’re talking about people who care deeply about their community, who have worked hard, whether it is as a fire commissioner, a labor member, an organizer, a small business owner, these folks are truly a part of that community and able to connect with voters on the most important issues of today, because they too have experience in them. We’re having real conversations with voters about what economic opportunity looks like in this country in 2026 and beyond. […] And I’m really proud of this crop of candidates, and I’m really excited to see what they do.”

The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC) leads the national strategy to secure Democratic power in our state legislatures. We are the campaign arm for more than 3,000 state legislators and thousands of candidates across all 50 states who are advancing Democratic values and standing up to the dangerous MAGA agenda every single day. Over the last decade, our work has flipped 10 new chamber majorities. Those new majorities have ensured Democrats in state legislatures are positioned to protect our democracy and fundamental rights, while addressing the high cost of living and advancing opportunities. The DLCC’s national strategy and target map continue to pinpoint the most efficient paths to Democratic power across all 50 states.